Page 67 of Bookworm

I could do this.

I would do it.

My mantra stayed true in my head until we stopped outside his second class. Instead of taking his booksand disappearing, Bo placed a hand on my arm and addressed one of his teammates.

"Hey Riconne," he said.

The other guy paused and lifted a brow. "Yeah?"

"Can you put my books on my desk?" Bo asked.

"Something wrong with your leg too?" he said. "We got a game coming up."

"My legs are fine."

"Glad to hear it.Heard about the arm, and you can't miss that shiner."

I winced. Ihadn't forgotten how bad it was—I'd justbeen trying not to look.As my eyes took in the bruise on Bo's cheek, the one I'd accidentally created, his skin was a mix between blue and green.Riccone was right. It looked terrible.

"Don't know who got the drop on you, Stryker."The other guy grimaced."But I hope you didn't take it lying down.

A cough. "Uh yeah, actually, I did."

The memory of my body lying on top of Bo's, his breath mingling with my own,being discovered by my friends at the library, flashed through my mind. It was a good thing no one gotthaton video. Just the thought had me shiftinganxiously from foot to foot.

"So, the books?" Bo asked, gesturing my way with a tilt of his head. "I just need a second."

Riccone's eyes moved to me, and he grinned. "Ah, I got you, Captain.Havefun with your girl."

My jaw dropped as he took Bo's books and walked into the room, leaving Bo and me alone.

"I can't believe he just called me your girl," I said.

Bo raised a brow. "I called you that too."

"Oh, I remember."

He stood there for a moment, seeming at a loss for words. During that time, sparks continued to race up and down my arm, and I looked down at his hand. He was still touching me. It was light, barely there. Most of his hand was covered by the brace, but his fingers rested against my skin. Warm tingles radiated from every point of contact.

"Sorry," Bo muttered as he jerked back, looking at his own hand as if he didn't know how it got there. "Kent, I just wanted to say…"

"Yes?" I asked, trying to make my breath sound less shaky than I felt.

He stared at me, opened his mouth, and—

"Mr. Stryker."

We looked to the open door, and there was Mrs. Taggart. Sheeyed the two of us with a bored expression then tapped her watch.

"Were you planning to join us?" she asked.

"Ah yeah," Bo said, "sorry, Mrs. T."

He looked to me and ran a hand along the back of his neck.

"Guess I'll see you at lunch."

Ihummed in agreement. "Sure thing. Bye, Stryker, Mrs. T."

---